Safety razor



July 25 1933-v I R. G. wlNKLER 1,919,759

SAFE TY RAZOR Filed March 3, 1932 I I r J l ATTORNEY.

Patented July 25, 1933 PATENT oFFlcE RICHARD G. WINKLER, OF SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS SAFETY RAZOR Application filed March 3,

This invention relates to improvements in Safety razors.

One object of the invention is the provision of a safety razor construction wherein a blade supporting plate is provided with projections or keys arranged to be receivable in suitable openings in a blade to prevent shifting of the blade. According to another object of the invention a blade of a certain length only may be used with the razor and the projections are arranged so as to extend to points closely adjacent the ends of the blade at either side of the longitudinal center line thereof and at opposite sides of a central projection so that it is impossible or impractical for one to provide an unauthorized blade having a large central opening adapted to embrace all the projections. That is, it is desired to arrange the projections in such a way that if one should make a blade with an opening suitable for embracing all the projections, so much of the material of the blade would be cut away as to weaken the blade so that asit is clamped in the razor it would break. This is all accomplished by means of the novel construction as will hereinafter be more fully described.

The invention in the form at present preferred will be describcd in connection with the accompanying description, references being had to the accompanying drawing, wherein;

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a razor embodying the novel features of the invention showing the blade clamping cap in an open` position in respect to the blade supporting plate.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of a blade.

Fig. 3 is a View similar to Fig. l showing a modified form of the invention with the .cap omitted.

Fig. 4 is a similar view of another form Iof the invention, and

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view through the razor shown in Fig. 1.

Referring nowto the drawing in detail the invention will be fully described.

In Fig. 1 there is shown a blade supporting plate 2 of a safety razor which has alternate teeth and grooves 6 and 4 along 1982. serial No. 598,509;

its opposite longitudinal side edges. Portions 8 of a cap 10 are pivoted to a hinge ear 12 at one end of plate 2 so that the cap 10 may swing between a position where it overlies lthe plate 2 and an open position shown in F ig. 1. A finger 14 on the free end of the cap 10 is receivable between ears 16' on the non-hinged end of the plate 2 so that as the cap is swung to overlie the plate or a blade on the plate the cap will be suitably guided and held.

Projections 16 on the upper side of the plate 2 are arranged to eXtend towards the opposite ends of the said plate at either side of the longitudinal center line thereof and has end portions 18 which terminate closely adj acent the ends of said plate.

As in Fig. 1 the projections 16 which may be called keys are disposed in a diverging relation and are associated with central curved projecting portions or keys 20 as shown. Other projections 22 are disposed adjacent opposite ends of the frame 2 and are preferably located upon the longitudinal center line of the plate between the projections 16. Other diverging projections 24 are disposed as shown on the upper side of the plate between the projections 16 and 22.

A blade B is provided with suitable apertures or openings as shown to receive the projections on the upper side of the plate 2 and the cap 10 may have in its lower side face grooves or depressions 17, 23 and 25 to receive the projections or keys of the plate. The plate has a central aperturel or opening 30 and is provided with a handle member preferably in the form of a tube 32 which extends downwardly from the lower side of the plate thereof.

A reciprocable member 34 in the handle 32 has a lower grip portion 36' and an upper stem 37.

A projection 40 in the tubular handle 32 is arranged to limit .the downward movement of the handle portion 34. A nut 36 has a threaded portion 38 in the upper end of the stem 34 and is provided with a threaded socket 42 on 'its upper end. A threaded stud 44 on the cap 10 is arranged to be received in the socket 42 when the cap is swung over onto the blade and plate.

A spring 46 is disposed between the shoulder 40 and the upper side of the part 34 and is arranged to urge the part 34 down- Wardly in the handle 32. The nut 36 abuts the part 40 and limits its downward movement.

With the blade in place on the plate 2 as shown in Fig. 1 the cap 10 is swung so as to overlie the plate wherein the part 14 of the cap is received between the lugs 16'. By pressing or holding the cap down with the fingers the part 34 is moved upwardly against the action of the springs 46 so that the stud 44 is engaged in the socket 42 of the nut and then by turning the grip 36' the cap is caused to clamp the blade between it and the plate.

When it is desired to release the 'cap the grip is rotated and the natural tendency of the blade is to exert pressure against the cap so that when the stud 44 is unscrcwed from the nut 36 the cap is urged away from the plate and thus the blade is free for removal from the plate.

The upper side of the plate is preferably crowned transversely to its longitudinal center line so that the portion along the longitudinal center line is slightly higher than the longitudinal side edges. The cap on its inner face is correspondingly curved so that as the cap clamps the blade to the plate the blade will be flexed or bent longitudinally.

By providing the plate with keys shown and described, and the blade with openings to receive the same, the blade is extremely flexible so that as it is clamped to the plate it readily conforms to the contour of the upper face of the plate and in this way the opposite' marginal edges of the blade are properly held on the parts 16 for the best cutting action.

It is desirable that the length of the blade be limited so that it does not project beyond the plate. This is acconiplished by the hinged portions at one end of the blade and cap and the part 14 and 16' at the other end thereof. That is to say, a blade cannot be used which has a length greater than the distance between these parts. "It is desired to mention that the end portions of the keys are relatively close to the end of the plate and blade so that a minimum of material is provided between the ends of the keys and the ends of the blades. In this Way the flexibility of the blade is greatly enhanced.

It is desired to limit the length of the blade and arrange the keys in such a way that should one attempt to make a blade which has a central opening suitable to embrace all of the projections of the plate the blade will be so weakened by the cut-out or opening thatl it will have no practical mwmw value. By arranging the keys in the way shown and by limiting the length of the blade an unauthorized blade may not be used with the plate and cap and' yet for the purpose of this invention the projections are so disposed as to provide suflicient metal in the blade to facilitate the utmost flexibility.

According to the modification of the invention shown in Fig. 2 a blade 50 is provided with slots 52 at opposite ends thereof and on either side of the longitudinal center line which extends towards the end of the blade and terminates closely adjacent thereto. Notches 54 in opposite ends of the blade are formed as shown.

This blade is adapted to be placed on the plate 2 shown in Fig. 1 to receive the keys thereof. It will be noticed that the blade 50 is not cut out so as to include the pro- Iiections 22 and could not be so cut out as the blade at its ends would be severed. It

has been stated that the length of the blade is limited by the parts associated with the ends of the cap and plate.

According to the modification of the ini'ention shown in Fig. 3 a plate 60 similar to the plate 2 described has rojections or keys 62, 64 and 66. The projections 62 as in the former case extends towards the ends of the frame and have end portions terminating closely adjacent said ends. A blade 70 in this case has suitable openings or apertures for receiving the projections described. The said projections and openings extend longitudinally of the blade and have end portions disposed adjacent the ends of the plate and blade so that the blade is extremely flexible and may be suitably clamped to the plate. A cap similar to the cap 10 is used in connection with the plate 60 and like the cap 10 will have suitable grooves or depressions to receive the keys 62, 64 and 66. Also the cap will have a tongue similar to that of the cap 10 and is receivable between lugs 61 associated with the plate. As in the former case the parts described limit the length of the blade.

The form of the invention shown in Fig. 4 includes a plate 80 having projections 82 extending towards opposite ends at either side of the longitudinal center line thereof and other projections 84 at the ends thereof correspond to the projections 22 and 66 in Fi s. 1 and 3.

blade 86 as in the former cases is provided with suitable openings to receive the projections or keys of the plate and is readily bendable to conform to the surface of the plate. i

A cap similar to cap 10 is used in this form of the invention and has a tongue similar to the tongue 14 of cap 10 which is eceivable between lugs 81 at the end of the rame.

From the foregoing it will be observed that there is provided a frame having keys or projections which extend in a longitudinal direction at either side of the longitudi- ,nal center line of the plate with end portions closely adjacent the opposite ends of the plate. This is so the blade which is provided with openings to receive the projections will be extremely fiexible.

The hinge connections atone end of the plate and cap and the tongue at the` other end of the cap limits'the length of the blade so that the blade will not project at opposite ends of the plate. Since the blade is limited in length it is impossible to provide a blade with a central cut out portion which will embrace all the keys without severing the blade or at least rendering it unsuitable for use. That is to say if the blade is cut out to embrace all of the projections or keys the cut out portons will leave little or no metal at the end portons of the blade so that its strength is greatly impaired or it Will become broken.

Having fully'described the invention in its form preferred what I now desire to elaim and secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A Safety razor comprising in combination, a co-operating plate member and a cap member provided with complemental curved surfaces for clamping a blade therebetween, one of said members having keys for a blade extending in a diverging relation towards opposite ends thereof and disposed at either side of its longtudinal center line and terminating adjacent said ends and other keys extending inwardly from said opposite ends of the member to points between and closely adjacent the ends of said first-named keys.

2. A blade for a Safety razor provided with apertures extending in a diverging relation along opposite sides of a longitudinal center line thereof and terminating adjacent opposite ends thereof, and notches spaced therefrom extending inward'l'ffrom said opposite ends adjacent said longitudinal center line to points closely adjacent and between the ends of said first-named apertunes, said apertures and notches providing a plurality of longitudinally extending flexible portons therebetween which are.

spaced laterally of said blade.

.8. A blade for a safety razor provided with, a central opening, apertures on either side of a longitudinal center line of said blade extending in diverging relation from adjacent said central opening towards opposite corners of the blade, other apertures between said last named apertures extending in diverging relation from points intermediate said central opening and the opposite ends of the blade, vtowards said opposite corners of said blade, and notches extending from the oppositeends of said blade to points between and closely adjacent the ends of said second-named apertures, said apertures and notches providing a plurality of longitudinally extending flexible portons therebetween which are spaced laterally of said blade.

4. A Safety razor comprising in combination, a plate member, a cap member, hinged connections at one end of said members and engaging means at their opposite ends, said plate member having keys on its upper side extending towards opposite ends thereof and disposed at either side of its long'itudinal center-line and terminating adjacent said ends and other keys extending inwardly from said ends to points between and closely adjacent the ends of said firstnamed keys, said cap member provided with a central threaded stud and grooves for receiving said keys, a blade receivable between said plate and cap provided with a central opening for receiving said stud and apertures for receiving said first named keys and notches extending from its opposite ends for receiving said last-named keys said apertures and notches providing a plurality of longitudinally extending fiexible portons therebetween which are spaced laterally of said blade, said blade being equal in length to the distance between said hinged connections and said engaging means of said plate, a hollow handle extending from said plate member, and a reciprocable and rotatable member therein having a threaded socket in its upper end for receiving the stud of said cap member to clamp the blade to the plate and fiex said blade at its said flexible'portions therebetween. I

5. A safety razor comprising in combination, a plate member and a cap member provided with complemental curved surfaces for clamping a blade therebetween, one of said members having keys for a blade extending in a diverging relation from a central portion thereof towards opposite corners thereof and disposed at either side of its longitudinal center line and terminating adjacent said corners, other keys on said member extending from points intermediate said central portion and the opposite ends of the member in diverging relation towards opposite corners of the member, and other keys extending inwardly from said opposite ends of the member to points between and closely adjacent the ends of said last-named keys, whereby a plurality of spaced blade-clamping portions are provided transversely of the member.

RICHARD G. WINKLER. 

